A long time ago in the past, coexisted in the realms of mortals and the divines, Gods, Demons and other beings like the humans. The Gods favored the humans helping them when they asked. The Demons felt jealous since they weren't bestowed with the favors of the Gods. And why would they be? As they were granted powers equal to the Gods, which they chose not to share with any.
As the time went on, the Demons felt enraged when they saw the humans worshiping the Gods, asking for their blessings and cursing them, the demons. They felt humiliated when they saw the humans stand proudly before them and not fear. That was when they thought of a terrible idea. An idea which would eradicate the Gods and make them rule over the realms of mortals and immortals.
They whispered about wealth, fame and power in the ears of humans, the beings who were the most easy to be manipulated. They whispered about the vast powers of the Celestial three brothers who were the favorite of the humans as they tended to indulge with them most than the other Gods. They whispered about the vast realms they had under their control and what their powers could bring them.
The humans became jealous, they sought out an evil plan with the help of devils who were cackling in the background. They sought after the Celestial three brothers and asked for weapons higher than their might.
The oldest of the three Celestial, Astrus, was confused. Being the God of the stars he could see the wish of the humans which they had concealed with the help of the demons. The God of the stars, Astrus, bestowed the humans the power which they so desired. His duty as he thought was to bring the lost to the right path. His desire as a Celestial was to tell the tales of the long forgotten stories through his constellations. Hence was his sanctity to hear the prayers and the wishes of those through his stars.
The God of the Moon, Tsuisu, was reluctant when the humans asked for powers greater than they could handle. The God of the Moon also known as the younger twin of Astrus tried to persuade the humans with his just and calm thoughts. He didn't want to bring his silent wrath on the humans who wished for weapons which would be the cause of destruction one day. But being the one to control the tides and the waves, he couldn't unhear the wishes of those persuaded by the demons.
The youngest of the three Celestial, Nika, saw through the heart of the matter in a second. He saw the demons riding control over the humans. He saw the demons holding the realms of freedom of humans in their hands. Nika laughed and his beats of drums echoed throughout the skies, challenging the demons to shackle him through the humans. He challenged the demons by giving the humans what they so desired.
Nika's joy, carefree attitude and blind trust on his fellow favored humans was not understandable by the other Gods, who were enraged on the Celestial three brothers for giving humans the power that rivaled theirs. Hence when the demons gained control over the humans and began ruling them, the Gods accused the three Celestials for their misdeeds, making them promise to not bestow wishes without proper understanding of the matter.
The demons snatched the gifts given by the three Celestial Gods to the humans. They ruled over the humans. That is what it took for the humans to realize their mistake and pray for forgiveness to the three Celestial Gods but alas they were forced to be quiet and not heed to their requests. The matters started worsening when the Gods realized that the demons were planning to attack them and enter their realm. Angered by the deeds, the Gods declared that those who sowed the seeds would reap what lays in it.
Hence started the journey of Astrus, Tsuisu and Nika in the realm of mortals disguised as one of them. They gathered humans to fight against the demons and stop them from taking a step further. The demons were scared and they ought to be as they brought forth the wrath of the gods. But the foolish and the clever demons weren't even afraid. They saw the three Celestial as a way to eradicate their fellow demons and conquer the world for themselves. Those six demons placed each step of theirs cleverly like the pieces of chess.
All of the cleverness of those six demons brought forth a new era, where the three Celestial laid forgotten and dead. How ironical 'cause the weapons which the three Celestials' bestowed the humans became the cause of their very own death. The leader of the demon vanished that very night before the humans and the rest five demons disguised themselves as humans to rule for eternity. That very night, the sun cried, the stars wept and the moon bled red. That very night, the three pure souls were laid to rest, forgotten to the World which they helped to nurture. That very night brought forth darkness in all realms as freedom, positivity and love was crushed.
Some Gods who were reluctant to help the Celestials hightailed and exiled them from entering to their realms until they fix their mistakes while others took pity on their naive thinking and deeds. The Mother Earth wept for her favored children while the Mother Sea raged through her waves as the trinity was lost that day.
One truly never dies. Death comes for the mortal body not for the soul.
The soul is forced to go through the cycles of life and death until it receives true salvation.
Traveling the seas for the more than a decade had strengthened Roger's intuition and thus he knew when his sights fell on the forest hidden by the mirth growth of the beautiful, mind blowing flowers, the rare plants and the trees which seemed to protect what it hides behind it.
Roger wasn't a fool to neglect the whispers of the winds as it called him forward to unravel what stays hidden behind the mysterious fauna of Raftel. His body didn't feel his own when it started moving towards the paradise, it's beauty unraveled by any Island yet he had seen.
A paradise fit for Gods. That is what his mind provided him as he took steps one by one.
His crew ever the loyal following after him, looking at the splendid beauty of nature with wide eyes.
Roger didn't know when his legs stopped all of a sudden and his hands got to work on the vines which wrapped a rusty old sea and earth vessel. It felt as if the sea and the earth had gone to long lengths to protect the very thing which stayed hidden in the vessel. It felt as if he had been granted the opportunity to bring forth whatever was in it.
The world waited with bated breaths, as Roger's hands worked his way to open the vessel.
The Sea which was far away from where he was standing, seemed to dance and sing in celebration for the advent of someone special as each vine was slowly being removed by Roger's hands.
The trees, plants and flowers on the Earth bloomed and danced with the winds, singing, whistling in excitement for what was waiting to be unleashed on the World once again.
None of Roger's crew felt as if they could breath or talk as their captain's hands worked themselves to open the vessel. A pressure, not malicious, not forceful seemed to wrap around the whole universe, before flickering and vanishing when the vessel opened to reveal three flickering and glowing figures standing before them.
"Who are you?" Roger asked taking a stand before his crew and for the first time feeling his body as his own.
"Thank you," The three figures spoke, their voices echoing throughout the Island. "We'll be forever grateful for your deeds."
"Ask what you want, for I shall grant you wealth, fame or power if you so desire for freeing us," The one glowing like stars and yet glitching spoke.
"I shall cure your impending doom and take the freedom from death to touch you," The one glowing brightly as the sun and yet flickering haphazardly spoke.
"If you so desire love, child, a lover, I shall grant you," The one glowing with a bluish and yet a bright shade just like the moon spoke, flickering unsteadily.
"But remember that we cannot fulfill your wishes for a decade or two," The figure shining like the star spoke. His figure glitched to form a sad smile over his face.
"As we are long forgotten and no longer welcomed," The figure shining like the moon spoke. His face forming a pained grin.
"As we are currently shackled by our deeds," The figure shining like the sun spoke. His face melting like tears.
"That's okay. I never came to look for wealth, fame or power. I never came to ask for a way to be free from death." Roger shook his head looking at the three young Gods. "I already have a lover, I don't need another."
"I have got what I wanted, I need no more," Roger finished his words as he saw the three young Gods face riddle in shock.
"Do you not fear death?" The sun like glowing figure asked innocently as it spiraled around Roger, studying him.
"I cannot fear death if I want to live to my fullest," Roger replied with a grin.
"Do you not want children?" The moon like glowing figure asked as it hovered before Roger.
"I do," Roger chuckled. "Who doesn't want children?"
"But your lover can't perceive a child," The star like glowing figure spoke silently.
Roger's eyes widened. He had painted so many dreams about having a child and now the thought that Rogue could never..! It was breaking his heart. He can't even imagine how would Rogue feel at the revelation.
"What shall I do?" Roger asked, his lips quivering at the thought of Rogue crying on the fact. His distress didn't even acknowledge when he was taken away from his crew and inside the very paradise from where he got the vessel.
"We don't have much time but I shall grant you a blessing," The star like figure spoke as it crouched down to Roger.
"Please no," Roger shook his head. "I don't know what you three are. But seeing your forms anyone can tell that you are using lots of energy to stay even stable."
"You are kind," The star like shinning figure spoke with a little smile. "For Astrus is nothing without his twin Tsuisu, we shall be reborn as your sons as we too need bodies but we need a little time for that."
"You forgot about me?" The sun like figure asked with wide eyes.
"Tsuisu and Astrus have no meaning without their little brother, the bundle of joy, Nika. The human body is incapable of holding the three Celestial together but we shall meet again baby brother," Tsuisu whispered to Nika, whose flickering arms brought close his brothers, before they vanished.
Roger was still shocked since the moment he heard the names of the ancient Gods whose name he came to knew just an hour ago. Astrus- the God of the Stars, Tsuisu- the God of the Moon and Nika- the God of the Sun. They were standing before him.
A laugh escaped Roger's mouth as he stood up.
Truly, death is just a mirage of reality.
For reality is inevitable just like death.
Soon an year passed and Roger's time was ceasing to exist. His health had deteoriated significantly. The past year, the time he had spent with Rogue was the most cherished memory of his and yet he had to go now. A part of his mind couldn't help but wonder about the blessing Astrus gave. If they don't do anything, then he would be leaving a sad lover behind with nothing of his to remind her. But yet, he can't muster the courage to blame them. They were not in their stable state when he met them. There was no way they could grant his wish that time.
"Roger! I have been waiting for you for so long!" Rogue greeted Roger as soon as she opened the door and hugged him tight.
"Rogue, my dear, I came to-" Roger was cut by the kiss which fell on his lips.
"Please, don't say a word," Rogue whispered, her hands cradling themselves with Roger's and pulling him inside the little warm cottage where she lived with Roger for the past year after he disbanded his crew.
"Okay, my love," Roger replied as he was slowly led to the room they shared. His hands were gently placed on Rogue's belly, as she greeted him with a big wide smile and glassy eyes.
"I'm pregnant," Rogue whispered, as if she was scared to utter the words too loud for anyone to hear.
Roger's eyes widened and tears fell one by one from his eyes as he fell on his knees to place his ears on his lover's stomach.
"I'm so happy, Rogue! I'm so happy!" Roger cried as he held his wife in his big arms. The promise of Astrus rang in his head as more and more tears left his eyes. They have granted his blessing. They had given him the joy which he so desires.
That night or rather that week Roger couldn't leave his Rogue's side. How could he even tell that he was about to sign his own death? He didn't dare to upturn the joy in Rogue's to tears.
"Roger, what are you hiding?" Rogue asked one night as they sat side by side gazing the stars. "And don't tell it's nothing. You are clearly hiding something from me."
"Rogue, I wish to spend my eternity with you, but nothing in this world can give me the time which I so desire," Roger spoke truthfully as he cradled Rogue's hands. "I don't want to die on the bed due to my sickness." Roger didn't dare to see the eyes which were shedding tears. "I only have a week before I finally succumb to my disease but I want to go out with a bang."
"W-When a-a-are yo-you lea-leaving?" Rogue sobbed, her head resting on Roger's shoulder as tears fell on their mingled hands.
"I planned to leave a week ago," Roger heard Rogue gasp. "But I couldn't tell you that time about it. I'm sorry Rogue." Roger fell in a fit of cough, which made Rogue try to stop it. Blood was coughed from Roger's mouth as he kept on coughing.
"I'm sorry Rogue," Roger croaked once his coughing was over. His throat felt sore and scratchy. "I didn't want you to witness this."
Rogue kissed Roger, her mouth tasting blood, her eyes shedding tears and her body trembling like a leaf. This was her last night with Roger before the inevitable arrives.
Death is a sad farewell, which everyone is bound to bid someday.
But goodbye doesn't mean forever.
When in the cold cells of the ship Garp acknowledged that Roger was going to be a father, he couldn't help but wish to free the man, his best friend and to let him live. But he wasn't a fool to not know that he didn't have time. How cruel fate is!
"What are their name?" Garp asked leaning on the bar cells beside Roger, cherishing the little time which he has with him before the inevitable finally comes to ask for Roger's life.
"If they are boys then Gol D. Ace and Gol D. Sabo, but if girls then Gol D. Ann and Gol D. Saki," Roger answered with a fond smile on his face.
Garp raised an eyebrow. "How do you know they would be twins?"
Roger chuckled low, before muttering. "A miracle. That's all I can say."
Months later Garp couldn't help but nod to Roger's words. Truly a miracle. That's all he can say seeing two baby boys cradled in the chest of a dying Rogue who had kept them for 20 months in her womb and yet not succumbed to death.
It was a mystery and a miracle that both baby boys were safe and alive. He wasn't going to crush the miracle and hence he smuggled them in his ship, which carried only his trusted crew and led them to Dawn Island.
His first thought was to deliver them to Dadan for safekeeping 'cause something about the baby boys were nudging him. They didn't feel natural. Moreover they were the Pirate King's son, who would do better to stay in shadows for a while. Hence, Garp delivered them to Dadan, hoping against all hopes that she could keep them in check on his behalf.
Garp visited Dawn and his cute little grandsons often. He was delighted to hear them growing just fine with the bandits and the forest. But whenever he would see them, he felt something was off.
He saw the twins grow faster than any normal human would. And mysteriously their first words weren't 'Ma' or 'Pa' like any normal child. Dadan had spelled to him clearly that the first word she heard the twins speak was 'Nika'. And as if that wasn't enough then Ace had freckles marked on his cheeks which seemed to glow whenever he wished for anything. Sabo shone with a blue tint like the moon as if he was the moon itself. But that also was only seen whenever he wished for something.
Old tales were opening before his eyes one by one as the twins kept on growing.
Who would tell a one year old about Nika? From his knowledge there was no one from the bandits and that is with whom they spent their time. There also wasn't any possibility for his two grandsons to devour devil fruits which would give them the other worldly shine.
All of these instances, and yet Garp chose to brush them off. For wasn't living in the present and enjoying it greater than worrying about the future and lamenting on what you don't have?
Unknown to Garp, Ace and Sabo were sad and longing for their baby brother whom they so wished to meet again.
Everything happens with time, shall it be death or birth.
Both life and death are a home for a wandering soul.
Nika's energy was the hardest to get stable, as his domains were difficult to find. Love and positivity was easy to bloom but freedom was the toughest. Feeling lonely, Nika wandered flickering and glitching wishing for freedom to show itself to him. He wandered in the day and vanished in the nights, searching and gasping for breath. Even Mother Sea and Mother Earth won't be able to give him a place to rest without any solid body but yet they held him when he fell. Yet they cradled him to sleep when he felt lonely.
Getting stable was difficult, specially when in the shackled society created by the demons, freedom was difficult to find. The pirates who roamed free were never truly free. They were shackled by their greed and where there is greed joy and freedom can never coexist. Some pirates traveled the seas with desire for family and yet he couldn't bring himself to enter the crew where he could feel the presence of a malicious soul. If he so does, then his very being would be destroyed before he could manifest truly.
Traveling and wandering, he reached Islands beautiful and vast, lonely and full of life. Nika traveled to meet his brothers, the separation already weakening him heavily.
Three years. That's how long he had to stay away from his brothers. He couldn't pinpoint them as they were waiting for him to be stable. He could hear their prayers for him to be born and bring joy and freedom. He could hear them calling him.
Wandering aimlessly, he heard a call of his name, but not from his brothers' mouth. It was one from a Buccaneer tribe. His heart filled with joy as he used all his energy to look for the man, who was liberating people from their pain. His heart swelled with pride when he saw him take the pain for himself. He would have without a doubt opted him to be his parent, but the very fact that the man was a Buccaneer meant he would be known and hunted... which he couldn't do right now.
He was about to leave when Mother Earth guided him to someone. His hair and heart tickled with the lick of freedom which was coming from the red tattooed man. His heart cried with his drum beats as he finally saw the lick of hope and freedom breaking his shackled hands and legs one by one.
The freedom which the man had provided to countless of mortals was unparalleled. He couldn't help but cry knowing that he would soon be reunited with his brothers.
"Thank you," Nika whispered before vanishing in the body of the lady who was sitting beside the red tatooed man, seemingly his lover. Nika's newly gained energy found itself making a little cell of life inside the lady, blossoming later as a child full of joy and freedom.
Life and Death are the opposite side of a same coin.
As life cannot exist without death and death cannot occur without life.
Garp experienced déjà vu when his son placed his own son in his hands before vanishing once again. The sight of the child, Monkey D. Luffy, brought floods of warmth inside his heart. The very smile which lit on the small face was otherworldly.
Garp was struck. He had to decide where he wanted Luffy to raise. Dadan had done a shitty job in raising Ace and Sabo and he didn't want the same to happen to Luffy. But the fact that the mysterious boy would be a complete mystery in the little village like Foosha was troubling him.
Time flied as it always does and Garp found himself on Dawn Island carrying a sleeping Luffy in his giant arms. He had to take only one step when he found the presence of his other two grandsons, who were running towards him in the village of Foosha. The fact that they had successfully evaded Dadan and her bandits and ran through the dangerous forest just to greet-
"Nika!" The two boys whispered climbing on his broad shoulders to peer on the baby boy he was carrying.
Old tales laid wide open before his eyes as Luffy opened his eyes with the single word and started crying, all the while his hands trying to touch that of Ace and Sabo.
Making a swift decision, Garp started walking towards the forest. Dadan was it for them. No way he is going to get them killed or be caught by any marines. He still needed answers, but seeing the sight of the three rejoicing as if they had been separated for centuries was heart breaking. He felt the winds sing, the waves dance and the nature weeping happy tears. So, who was he to snatch away the happiness from the trio? Whoever they were, they are his Grandsons now.
Deciding to scold them later for their misbehavior Garp led the twins and a baby Luffy to Dadan. He could feel her Haki, which leaked of worry from a distance.
"Just this once I will forgive you two," Garp whispered as he adjusted Ace and Sabo in his shoulders carefully, making them laugh gleefully with the little bundle of joy he was carrying.
When Garp reached the bandit's hideout with the new addition, even Dadan couldn't help but coo at the sight of Luffy and accept him with a little fuss. Garp laughed seeing the charm of Luffy already working on Dadan. He saw Ace and Sabo care for Luffy as if they weren't little children but adults who could take care of themselves. He saw Luffy shine with wonder and curiosity, with glee and joy, with freedom and love, at the sight of his older brothers.
Garp wondered if it was destiny which landed the trio as fraternal siblings or was it a miracle as quoted by Roger?
The answer is yet to be found but he feels himself not too far from the truth and yet not too close. As for the truth is known when the questions are asked on the right time and place.
The game of life and death is a mystery yet to be solved.
As mystery is nothing without the truth of life and death.
A/n:
It's just an experimental story. I might write the next chapter but not sure. So, tell me if you guys want a next chapter!
And how was the story...? I just felt like to write a story like this and so I did it.